Judy Sjerven came to Skagit Valley from San Diego in summer of 2006 to take a plein air workshop by master pastelist/teacher Richard McKinley. The beauty of the area was so inspiring, that six weeks later she was settled into a little house and studio in La Conner. She also took workshops with Albert Handell in Monterey and Terri Ford in Paris and Skagit Valley. She loves the immediacy and possibilities of pastel. In landscapes and seascapes, she strives to interpret the beauty of nature that evokes a feeling of peace and appreciation for God's creation in the viewer. Though skies, water, trees, and flowers are her usual subjects, Judy loves to do commissioned pet portraits, too.
As a music teacher, Judy often incorporated visual art in lessons. In 2013, she moved to Whidbey Island to marry jazz pianist, Nick Nicholai. They are the “Just In Time Jazz Duo.”